HAVING A BRAWL

They’ll need tin hats if Black Cats and U’s clash in play-offs

ONE headbutt, two tunnel brawls, two sendings-off, two furious managers... and a Sunderland victory.

If these two sides meet in the play-offs, it will be a feisty affair given the needle on show here.

Aside from the fighting, which erupted in the tunnel at halftime and again at the end, the Black Cats ignited their automatic promotion hopes with a ninth win in 11 games.

Oxford boss Karl Robinson was sent off for swearing at match officials in a dispute over Aiden Mcgeady’s brilliant 25-yarder to make it 2-1.

He was fuming with ref Trevor Kettle over the award of a quick free-kick which allowed Lynden Gooch to tee up Mcgeady, while Oxford had a player down hurt.

There was also controversy when Max Power broke clear to seal the game for Sunderland in injury time... and ran 50 yards to do a jubilant knee slide in front of the Oxford dugout. Tension also rose when Mark Sykes was sent off for a strong challenge on home defender Luke O’nien.

His determination to score was rewarded with a second yellow card.

Oxford took the lead thanks to James Henry after good work from Brandon Barker but Gooch poked home at the near post to equalise just before the break.

Mcgeady’s strike was a peach and Power, who said he’d been abused by the U’s bench in their past three games, took revenge by celebrating the three points in front of them.

After the match, Robinson pointed the finger at a member of the Sunderland backroom staff for a clash with his keeper Jack Stevens at the interval.

It was one of those games filled with animosity, personal battles and history between players who cared.

Robinson’s men look capable of a top-six finish if they keep their heads – and for a long time were the better side.

As for Lee Johnson’s battlers, they stepped in to look after each other on and off the pitch.

And the aggro will only add fuel to their 13-game unbeaten streak.